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Issue:- Saturday, 24 October 2015

Headlines and reports on this page = 5 news items. Page - 7.

Can you help find those responsible for Town Centre Car Crash?

ON Tuesday, 20 October 2015, at around 11pm, a car that is reported to have been driven recklessly, crashing into several other cars and a house wall, on the corner of Gordon Street and Saunders Street, outside Sacrebleu Bar and Coffee Lounge. An eye witness told us that:- "It is lucky that they did not crash into the Bar and that no-one was outside at the time. We just could not believe our eyes as to what was going on. It was surreal." As of yet the identities of the driver and passenger are unknown, but the damage left on one of the cars, was considerable. "It's shocking to know just how close it came to smashing into the window of the bar." 1 of the bar staff told us. Looking at the CCTV in the bar, which shows the surprising power of the impact, also confirms just how close the impact came to pushed the parked car through the bar window. Merseyside Police said that:- "Police Officers in Southport Town Centre received a report a car had been in collision with a car and a wall on Gordon Street. There are no reports of anyone being injured, but there were 2 males in the car, who fled the scene before Police arrived. Enquiries are on going and anyone with any information is asked to contact:- 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111"

Cyberattack leaves millions at risk to fraud

THE telecoms firm TalkTalk Telecom Group Plc, is now a well established name, founded in Leeds, UK, in 2003, but it has had quite a problematic year so far in 2015, following a "sustained cyberattack." Yet again the firm has announced more difficulties as it indicated to customers that it had been victim to yet another major hacking attack, over 21 October to 23 October 2015. As a result TalkTalk shares dropped and customers are now worried what has been taken.

The phone and broadband provider, which has over 4 million UK customers, said:- "banking details, credit card information, along with other personal information, could have been accessed."

Dido Harding, CEO, added that:- "TalkTalk constantly updates its systems to make sure they are as secure as possible against the rapidly evolving threat of cyber crime, impacting an increasing number of individuals and organisations. We take any threat to the security of our customers' data extremely seriously and we are taking all the necessary steps to understand what has happened here. As a precaution, we are contacting all our customers straight away with information, support and advice around Wednesday's attack. If you have any more questions you can call us on:- 0800 0832710 or call:- 0141 2300707."

The other personal information could include:- names, addresses, birthdates, email addresses, phone numbers along with other TalkTalk account information.

A criminal investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit following the discovery of the attack. Soon after we are told that a Russian Islamist group called:- "Cyber-Jihadi", then posted online, to claim responsibility for the attacks. This has yet to be verified. Police have said that they are:- "investigating the claim of this significant and sustained cyber attack, on a UK company. Our investigation will look at establishing exactly what happened and who is to blame."

Since this announcement was made, Dido Harding, chief executive of the TalkTalk Group Plc. has gone on to say that:- "We have received an email demanding a ransom." The Metropolitan Police, who are in charge of the criminal investigation, added:- "no one has, as of yet, been arrested" over the attack and that they will be also:- "looking into the validity of this claim." With TalkTalk has also commented that:- "We have taken all necessary measures to secure our website following the attack, but it's too early to say who the attackers were. A formal investigation by the Metropolitan Police is under way and we understand this will be concerning and frustrating for customers. We want to reassure you, and we stress that we are continuing to take every action possible to keep your information safe."

TalkTalk and the Police have said that all customers affected should:- "Keep an eye on your accounts over the next few months. If you see anything unusual, please contact your bank and Action Fraud as soon as possible. Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre, and they can be reached on:- 0300 123 2040 or via :-ActionFraud.Police.UK." They also say that:- "If you are contacted by anyone asking you for personal data or passwords (such as for your bank account), please take all steps to check the true identity of the organisation." As a result TalkTalk is now offering a year's free credit monitoring for all its our customers via Noddle, that also allows free access to your credit report for life."

We are also told that the National Crime Agency is looking at the firm's computer networks to discover how they got in.

Have you been affected by this and what are your views on this? Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Merseyside PC Paul Kirwin nominated for Regional and National Police Bravery Award 2015

THE Police Federation Bravery Awards, are marking the 20th Anniversary this year. The awards are presented annually to honour Police Officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty. In total, in 2015 there are 64 nominees, from 38 forces, and one is from Merseyside.

PC Paul Kirwin, 47, who is based in Maghull, was nominated after disarming and arresting a man armed with a handgun.

PC Kirwin was with a colleague on uniformed patrol in Litherland, at around, 4.15pm, on Wednesday, 24 July 2013.

While driving their marked police car through the shop precinct car park on Pendle View in Litherland, Constable Kirwin observed an agitated male stood in an alleyway and he became suspicious.

PC Kirwin told his colleague to drop him off and drive to the rear of the shops. He then made his way to the end of the alleyway where he observed a man leaning into the rear of one of the shops. He walked around the back of the man and saw his arm was outstretched and he was pointing a black hand gun at staff members inside.

As the man tried to look around PC Kirwin took hold of the male and grabbed his arm to prevent him pointing the gun.

A violent struggled then ensued during which PC Kirwin was able to restrain the male and cause him to drop the handgun. The man was then arrested for attempted armed robbery for which he was later charged.

The male later pleaded guilty at court to the offences of attempted robbery and possession of a firearm with criminal intent and was given a 12 month supervision order.

PC Kirwin's bravery was recognised by Merseyside Police and he received a Chief Constables Commendation and Award of Merit for the incident.

Merseyside Police Federation chairman Peter Singleton said:- "There is no doubt that Constable Kirwin's quick thinking and outstanding bravery led to the arrest of a very dangerous individual, prevented the commission of an offence of a robbery, reduced the trauma that the shop staff suffered and prevented the male committing any further offences and trauma to other members of the public."

The Regional and National Police Bravery Awards will take place on Tuesday, 27 October 2015 and nominated officers will attend a reception at Downing Street and an evening awards ceremony.

Christmas is coming at Zoë's Place Baby Hospice

ALL things Christmas are happening at Zoë's Place Baby Hospice. Christmas is a time to think of others and to be thankful for what we have. At Zoë's Place we support over 70 families every year that are presented with new challenges each day. Their babies and children aged 0 to 5 have been diagnosed with a life threatening and/or limiting condition. For many of the charities families, this means 24/7 care for their little ones and having to see them go through treatment and situations that is incomprehensible to many of us. Zoë's Place offers these families a place where they are in the knowledge that their precious babies are safe and well looked after on a 1 to 1 basis, with fully qualified nurses and professionals. All year round Zoë's Place aims to ensure that the children are well care for, and can live their life to the best of their ability, but also allowing their parents time with siblings, to get jobs done around the house and/or simply to catch up on some sleep. The support offered at Zoë's Place includes counselling and bereavement services, when appropriate. With Christmas being the embodiment of the spirit of love, generosity and of goodness, Zoë's Place have been creating different opportunities for the local community to engage with and support others this Christmas. They hope to do this with events such as running a 'Christmas Fair', holding a 'Christmas Jumper Day' or running initiatives such as:- 'Share a card' or 'Give a Gift.' The team at Zoë's Place are also trying to encourage you to celebrate the life of a loved 1 through their 'Light up a Life' scheme. "We are also looking for new and unwanted items and bottles that we will be able to use at our Christmas Fair and/or windows and notice boards that will be happy to display our posters. Here at Zoë's Place Baby Hospice, we are so thankful to the local community, because without you we would not exist and the families we look after wouldn't have the support that we offer." they commented... For more information about fundraising or how your family can be referred to the Hospice please contact them, via calling:- 0151 228 0353, or go to:- Zoes-Place.Org.UK.

Police appeal after indecent exposure on a train service, at Sandhills

ON 20 October 2015, the British Transport Police (BTP) asked the public for help following an alleged incident of indecent exposure directed at a woman who was travelling alone. The incident occurred shortly after 4.45pm, on Saturday, 26 September 2015, on the 4.46pm, Kirby to Liverpool Central Train. PC Rebecca Hinde, investigating, said:- "A man boarded the service at Kirby and took a seat near to the victim. As the train went through a tunnel he exposed and touched himself while looking at his victim, before leaving the service at Sandhills. We believe the man in the image could have information that is vital to this investigation and urge him, or anyone who recognises him, to come forward to assist us with our enquiries." Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on:- 0800 405040, or text:- 61016, quoting reference:- PSUB/B3 of 20/10/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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